The Stand

"So I'll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned.In owe of the One who gave it all.And I'll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered. All I am is Yours." 

(One of my all-time-favorite Christian song: The Stand by Hillsong) 

As we decided to live for the Lord, we must let go of ourselves (own desires, will and wants)and let God be in control of everything. With arms high and heart abandoned, let us surrender ourselves to Him and let him use our lives for His name and glory. Many people refused to do it because of the wrong thinking that God might become an antagonist of their self-planned 'best life story'. 

That was a big NO.  

What I have learned and realized is that, when we surrender our lives to God, we are not actually losing the best out of it. Instead, we are getting ready to embrace the UTMOST level of His favor and blessings. That is why I pray that we will wholeheartedly declare: (personal tone) "ALL I AM IS YOURS". 

Above All Else

ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART. (Proverbs 4:23)

Above all else' → Meaning, NOT an option. Instead, make it a priority. A choice. God knows how fragile our hearts could possibly be. It can be deceived by strong emotions, it can be misled by wrong thoughts and it can be captured by wrong person. That is why God commanded us (not a request) to carefully guard our hearts.

Simply, let it be captivated by God. Only Him. Then the rest follows.

Godly Suffering

"For it is better... to suffer for doing good." (1 Peter 3:17) 

Indeed. Suffering from doing good is a great test from the Lord. Most people wanted to spend their lives in its most comfortable situation -- enjoying the pleasures offered by the devil. But as we chose to do what is right even if the costs were tough, God will grant us inner security and hope knowing that we go through it for His sake. And by that, he will be pleased.

Beauty of Brokenness

As Christians, we are not excused in experiencing trials, tests and challenges of life that leads to emotional and spiritual brokenness. At times, we tend to ask God, "why?", forcing him to make a clear explanation why such things happen. But let  us try to imagine how our lives could possibly be with a smooth sailing flow and ride? It can make us so self-centered and boastful, believing that we can do all things by ourselves. But at the times of brokenness, we will realize our incapabilities, weaknesses and limitations that only God can fill. It is also His way of refocusing our eyes and heart to the one who can really make us whole. Brokenness is not as negative as we often think and perceive. It is sometimes God's tap on our shoulders reminding us that He is all we need.